Two important questions new indie brand needs your help ;)

[cyehra]

Hello again!
Thanks for your help so far. I really learned a lot.But i need your assistance one more time :D
I plan my next steps for my indie label at the moment. So i have two important questions. If you need any more informations just ask ^__^

Comments

[rainedragon]

1. I have pre-ordered items from an established indie brand before, and I know of a handful who have done pre-orders. I understand that producing a line costs a lot up front, so I don't mind paying to reserve a spot. However, I might be nervous doing so if the brand was just starting and hadn't sold any dresses before (not sure how new of an indie brand you are?)

2. It depends on the fullness and the complexity of the garment, and how much I want it. For a complex, well made dress that will fit well, and that I really want, I'll pay up to slightly above brand-name prices. However, I might not be typical.

[cyehra]

Thank you very much for your answer. It helps me a lot :)

My indie brand is not that new, i startet 2 years ago but i went on a wrong way and wasn't present on egl, just in the german area a little. I already sold some dresses, accessoirys and i did a lot of comissions. Some reviews are also available :) And i can show a lot of my work.

I am calculating a lot and we (i don't work for the label alone :)) think we make a pre-order phase, where no one has to pay anything before she saw the finished clothing. This is more risky for us, but we can handle it. Without a pre-order phase we can't choose the color way ,what kind of clothes it should be, and the size.
I think this would be the best or what do you think?

[cloudsnapper]

I don't think I would do a pre-order unless the brand was very well-established. It's not because I think you're trying to scam or anything, but there have been people who got overwhelmed when they got their orders and started working.

[cyehra]

Thank you for your helpfull answer :)

Yes, i read it very often and i experienced it by myself. The orders will be limited. I know exactly how much clothes i can handle in a acceptable time. Actually I try to find a good way how to manage my first "big" release.

[cloudsnapper]

Good luck on your big release! I think if the dresses are great you'll do really well.

[shiro_o]

For one size items with shirring, depending on the amount you use, you might want to start with only 2 sizes. I suggest that you make tests and see how much give you can put in the shirring before deciding to do 3 sizes.

I also agree with Rainedragon. It's not that we don't trust you, but it's better to wait until you've done 2-3 prints before introducing a pre-order phase. That way, people will know that what they're paying for is worth the money, and that you're reliable as a seller. Giving away 50% of a dress price without knowing what you'll get is something a lot of people won't be ready to do.

The price really depends on the materials and complexity of the pattern. I think you could easily price the dresses above 250$ and the skirt around 160$, from what I've seen from other reputable Indie brands with a well-known good quality, though you might want to start smaller and see how well this first print sells, and how much profit you're able to make.

[cyehra]

Thank you very much for your helpfull answer :)

I already calculated the sizes and testet them. It's not possible to manage all sizes in just two sizes. Bigger sizes won't fit well, when i add just more fabric to the shirring. There are much more parts, which i have to conform. Pattern construction is a little complicated thing :D. I consider plus-sizes, too. (The top parts have to be much longer, then normal sizes because of the bust measurements. More curves, longer way for the fabric you know? I'm sorry for my bad technical english ^^")

Yeah i understand that, and that's why i ask :) I have to find a good way and that's very difficult. But i think i have enough time for a decision. I still have wait for some testprints of different manufacturer :)

[princessastrid]

I wouldn't go for a pre-order phase. I've never been able to actually make into a slot for a pre-order before and then the darn thing goes away forever and I never get a chance to get the item. Unless you plan on doing multiple order phases, or doing a long phase (like, of a few months as opposed to just one month), I don't think a pre-order phase would go over well. I think only giving your customers a month (for example, I know you didn't list an actual time slot) will exclude a lot of people, even if you only do a 50% upfront deposit. Not everyone will have the money in a month or so for the kind of expense a custom printed dress brings

[cyehra]

Thanks for your opinion. We came up with the idea to do a pre-order phase were you just place your order and not have to deposit money. Comparable to a normal order where you know the release date. Exceptions for customization.

Our goal is that everybody should have a chance to get the dress they want. First, i only take so much orders that i can handle. If they are finished, i'll take orders again. And so on. Maybe some people are waiting for reviews and hesitate for orders because they are not sure of the quality.

For some people we could arrange a payment plan as well.

The prices you mentioned, are close to those that i calculated.

[fayd_out]

If it was something I really liked/wanted then yes, I'd go for it. You said you'd be limiting the number of pre-orders to what you know you can handle, so that's cool. Personally, the print I think you're referring to is too sweet for me, but that's just because I'm not very into sweet lolita. I looked at your other stuff, and it's really nice, so if it was more my style and I had the money, I would pre-order.

Erg. I'm bad with pricing. :( So I'm not really sure how you should price it. I'd say just take into account the cost of materials, the time spent working on it, and add a bit for a profit? I mean, maybe take the price for a similar piece without a print, and then factor in the cost of the print fabric vs the non-print fabric?

[cyehra]

Yeah, i think it's better to limit myself, as to say i'm sorry but i can't make it in time, you have to wait one more week. Not good for newcomers.

If i follow your method for pricing (which i really did xD ), it will met the prices princessastrid mentioned.